hi i am 13 and i enjoy this hobby. i was wondering what kind of dcc control would be a good starter i have a 4 by 8 dual oval we have always had dc layouts and i finally wanted to try a dcc, i am kind of clue less about it so bare with me i was looking at these :
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXRFZ1&P=7
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXSNM8&P=7
p.s. my spending limit is like 300
I would recommend either the NCE PowerCab or Digitrax Zephyr as a starter system. Both are upgradable in the future as you expand/want to do more, with no wasted parts - you can add on as your desires and/or budget allow. And neither one is near your $300 budget, leaving more left over to buy decoders.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
oh yeah i was looking at the digitrax zepher i did not buy any engines yet because i was still bouncing around the idea. we had trains over 30 of them they sadly were lost in storage. the only thing we have left is the track and like 20 cars from the 8 by 16 my dad had. so i dont have any engines i am modeling the north newyork area since i have the D & H passanger set and some newyork central stuff. ok enough of that,now where do i order the zephyr a representable website would be great because i got ripped off once thanks guys
http://www.tonystrains.com/index.html
I would highly recommend looking at the PowerCab, the Zephyr is good but NCE is better and $10 less, plus you can get a USB interface (can act as second throttle) for $50.
I am getting ready to up grade my DCC system. If you just want to run more than one train on the same line, control sounds and lights you might look the Bachmann E-Z command. You can not change CV's, only have power to run around 3 sound engines at a time. I have been using mine for 2 years and works great and simple. On E-bay you can find one for around $50.00 new or used.
I as well was looking at the MRC Square II system, I like the higher F functions and cost did not seem that bad. Dynamis is close to being bought, can control track decoders, around 90 engine address, program on the main line, has power for 6 sound engines and wire less is a BIG PLUS. You can all so get one for around $150.00 with a free engine! Only thing about the Dynamis is it will not run a DC engine, the Bachmann E-Z command will run DC engines.
Zepher, well it would be hard to go wrong with.Main strong point is so many people here have one if there is a problem using it there is a great support base for help.
My self, will be trying a Zepher this week at Simon 1966 house, he may bring it over to my house to try on my bench. Depending on what I think about it, either it or the Bachmann Dynamis will be bought this week.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Bapou the Zephyr is good but NCE is better
the Zephyr is good but NCE is better
Could you give specific examples to back this statement up? An item by item comparison would be nice.
Martin Myers
Here are a few features:
Zephyr
Ease of prgramming: Decent
Momentum: must be programmed (CV's)
Computer interface (Tony's price): PR2 $79.95, PR3 $67.95
PowerCab
Ease of prgramming: Excellent
Momentum: 2 button programming of momentum
Computer interface (Tony's price): PowerCab USB interface $39.95
Any more specific questions I'll be happy to anwser them later, right now my parents are calling me to dinner.
BapouHere are a few features:ZephyrEase of prgramming: DecentMomentum: must be programmed (CV's)Computer interface (Tony's price): PR2 $79.95, PR3 $67.95PowerCabEase of prgramming: ExcellentMomentum: 2 button programming of momentum Computer interface (Tony's price): PowerCab USB interface $39.95 Any more specific questions I'll be happy to anwser them later, right now my parents are calling me to dinner.
Power Cab is 2 amps, Zephyr is 2.5 amps.
With the Power Cab, you can add one additional cab, or three additional cabs if you get the SmartBooster. You can use 10 cabs with the Zephyr.
NCE's USB interface uses a cab address, so it cuts into the number of cabs you can have, Zephyr's PC interface's do not cut into the number of cabs you can have. By the way, I interfaced my Zephyr to my PC with about five dollars worth of components(the circuit is at the bottom of this page:http://www.teamdigital1.com/support_tools.html).
If you add the 3 Amp Smart Booster to the PowerCab, you don't get to use the 2 amps of the Power Cab, so you get a 3 amp system, not 5 amps. If you then upgrade to the Power House Pro, you can not use the Smart Booster. If you upgrade from the Zephyr, you can always use it as a booster.
Both the Power Cab and the Zephyr are excellent systems, and I could list additional features for each of them that give one or the other the edge. Niether one is "better" than the other overall, but there are definitely certain situations where one is better, and which one is better depends on the specific situation.
CSX RobertBapouHere are a few features:ZephyrEase of prgramming: DecentMomentum: must be programmed (CV's)Computer interface (Tony's price): PR2 $79.95, PR3 $67.95PowerCabEase of prgramming: ExcellentMomentum: 2 button programming of momentum Computer interface (Tony's price): PowerCab USB interface $39.95 Any more specific questions I'll be happy to anwser them later, right now my parents are calling me to dinner. OK. Here are a few things that give Zephyr the edge: Power Cab is 2 amps, Zephyr is 2.5 amps. With the Power Cab, you can add one additional cab, or three additional cabs if you get the SmartBooster. You can use 10 cabs with the Zephyr. NCE's USB interface uses a cab address, so it cuts into the number of cabs you can have, Zephyr's PC interface's do not cut into the number of cabs you can have. By the way, I interfaced my Zephyr to my PC with about five dollars worth of components(the circuit is at the bottom of this page:http://www.teamdigital1.com/support_tools.html). If you add the 3 Amp Smart Booster to the PowerCab, you don't get to use the 2 amps of the Power Cab, so you get a 3 amp system, not 5 amps. If you then upgrade to the Power House Pro, you can not use the Smart Booster. If you upgrade from the Zephyr, you can always use it as a booster. Both the Power Cab and the Zephyr are excellent systems, and I could list additional features for each of them that give one or the other the edge. Niether one is "better" than the other overall, but there are definitely certain situations where one is better, and which one is better depends on the specific situation.
The NCE SB3 doesn't work with PSX circuit breakers either. It is better to just get the PH Pro base, in fact buying the PH Pro base and a PowerCab system or a ProCab throttle is cheaper than the PH Pro system.
CSX RobertPower Cab is 2 amps, Zephyr is 2.5 amps.
If that makes any difference why was my Zephyr unable to start up with three sound locos on the track and my NCE starts up with EIGHT on there. My POWER CAB will run five or more pulling short trains.
I don't mean to start a fight, but I never did understand why the Digatrax equipment couldn't pull the power load and the Power Cab plugged in and never looked back. If anyone knows the answer????
No flaming please Lee
yankee flyerCSX RobertPower Cab is 2 amps, Zephyr is 2.5 amps. If that makes any difference why was my Zephyr unable to start up with three sound locos on the track and my NCE starts up with EIGHT on there. My POWER CAB will run five or more pulling short trains.I don't mean to start a fight, but I never did understand why the Digatrax equipment couldn't pull the power load and the Power Cab plugged in and never looked back. If anyone knows the answer???? No flaming please Lee
yankee flyerIf that makes any difference why was my Zephyr unable to start up with three sound locos on the track and my NCE starts up with EIGHT on there. My POWER CAB will run five or more pulling short trains.
That does seem odd, my Bachmann E-Z command with only 1 amp will run 3 BLI sound steam engines with no problems.
yankee flyer If that makes any difference why was my Zephyr unable to start up with three sound locos on the track
Must have been a bad unit. My Z regularly power up with 10 or more sound locos in its district with a bunch of other no sound ones as well.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Had to be a bad unit, I've had way more than 3 locos on the track, I had 8 actually MOVING, 4 with sound and 4 without, at the same time on the Zephyr, and it even powered back up after I deliberately shorted the track, to see if it COULD recover. I also had no problems programming those sound decoders, QSI in Broadway and Atlas locos, ESU in PCM locos, and a Soundtraxx DSX I was workign on putting in a dummy F unit.
One of the other threads had it posted, there are some limitations to the NCE USB interface. An advantage of the Loconet bus with Digitrax, all of the computer interfaces (you left out the Locobuffer USB which is cheaper than the PR3, or the DIY Locobuffer which is cheaper still) can both run trains and program. The Zephyr can also be programming a loco on the program track while other trains continue to run. Even the PH Pro system shuts down running trains while programming. A Digitax computer interface can also 'see' every command fromt he throttles to the command station, so in combination with free (JMRI) or not free (RR & Co) software you can respond to any Loconet data from any source - sensor, throttle, command station, whatever. The NCE computer interfaces can't see what other throttle are doing. It can act liek a throttle, or control programming, or receive feedback from an AUI but it can't see what someone does with their throttle.